Fire Chief Jack Chandler said the attic of 241 Bailey Road had "self-ventilated" by the time firefighters arrived around 8:30 p.m. What that means is that fire was coming out of the roof.

The chief said lightning probably struck the house as thunderstorms and heavy rains swept through the area late Tuesday afternoon. He said the fire in the attic at some point probably ran out of oxygen and started to smolder. He said a strong wind gust could have injected fresh air into the attic, rekindling the fire. Neighbors called 911 when they saw the flames.

He said there were no injuries; he said the homeowners were out of the state on vacation. He said a daughter who lives there and did not go on vacation was not home when the fire started, and said she made arrangements to stay elsewhere Tuesday night.

The rest of the house sustained heavy smoke and water damage. The chief said the entire first floor of the house was filled with smoke when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and rotated teams in and out of the house to overhaul the interior. He said firefighters from Paxton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston assisted Holden firefighters, and the Worcester canteen truck responded.

Bailey Road, which runs from Main Street to Reservoir Street, was impassable as firefighters stretched hoses and set up equipment.